Welcome to my 7th annual MLS season preview, this year with club specific dedication. Feel free to check out any and all of the previews, and get stuck in now with the preview for the Montreal Impact...
IN:
D Donny Toia (11/19/14 - Dispersal Draft)
M Marco Donadel (12/1/14 - free)
M Nigel Reo-Coker (12/10/14 - Waiver Draft)
GK Eric Kronberg (12/12/14 - Re-Entry Stage 1 Draft)
D Bakary Soumare (12/18/14 - Re-Entry Stage 2 Draft)
D Victor Cabrera (1/8/15 - loan from River Plate)
F Romario Williams (1/15/15 - SuperDraft)
D Laurent Ciman (1/22/15 - free)
M Eric Alexander (1/27/15 - trade from New York)
D Ambroise Oyongo (1/27/15 - trade from New York)
F Dominic Oduro (1/27/15 - trade from Toronto)
GK Kristian Nicht (2/5/15 - loan from Indy Eleven)
F Cameron Porter (2/7/15 - SuperDraft)
OUT:
F Marco Di Vaio (retired)
D Matteo Ferrari (10/31/14 - option declined)
D Mamadou 'Futty' Danso (10/31/14 - out of contract)
M James Bissue (10/31/14 - option declined)
M Zakaria Messoudi (10/31/14 - option declined)
M Gorka Larrea (11/25/14 - option declined)
GK Troy Perkins (11/25/14 - out of contract)
D Gege Soriola (11/25/14 - option declined)
D Heath Pearce (12/10/14 - Expansion Draft to Orlando City)
M Issey Nakajima-Farran (1/16/15 - waived)
M Felipe Martins (1/27/15 - traded to New York)
D Karl Ouimette (2/6/15 - waived)
D Krzysztof Krol (2/11/15 - mutual termination)
MANAGER: Frank Klopas
A contender for worst to first this season, Montreal is also a contender for worst to still worst, and potentially the first team to fire their manager this season should Klopas fail to get all of the new faces firing early in the season. (A CONCACAF Champions League win would buy him another season no matter what happens in the league.) A case can be made for a 5th place finish, or a repeat of last season, basement finish. Only time will tell.
Up front, with inconsistency something they have in abundance, Jack McInerney looks set to get the nod over Dom Oduro as the season begins in the absence of the retired Marco Di Vaio. If for any reason either doesn't have the season of their lives, look for Montreal to bring in a DP to bolster their attack come summer.
In the mid, while Alexander and Bernier look to push for starting roles, newcomers Nigel Reo-Coker and Marco Donadel look set for the roles behind creative mid Ignacio Piatti, with Dilly Duka and Justin Mapp out wide. Almost a completely rebuilt mid, how quickly they will gel, and if Reo-Coker has anything left in the tank, will go a long way to deciding how high up the table Montreal finishes.
In the back, we again have a complete rebuild. Orange looks set to hold down the left back spot, with Toia holding the place until he arrives. New additions Ciman and Soumare look set to be the chosen CB pairing, though right back arrival Victor Cabrera could also play in the center of defense.
In goal, Evan Bush takes the big gloves, but Eric Kronberg could take over the role at the first sign of trouble.
Overall, Montreal look to be the most improved team in MLS. The major question being how likely it is for a complete roster overhaul to be immediately effective, and the questionable stewardship of Frank Klopas. My prediction for 2015 is as big a gamble as I am making.
2014 Eastern Conference Finish: 10th
Predicted 2015 Eastern Conference Finish: 7th
Thank you for reading my Impact preview, feel free to read all of the previews for the other 19 clubs, and as always, remember, MLS Matters.
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